Kiwis hold on but are on brink of defeat

Sun 13-January-2013 15:57

Peterson - Two wickets in the afternoon.

New Zealand managed to resist ending the second Test against South Africa on day three, but will have to battle a probable losing cause in Port Elizabeth as they were 157 for four at stumps and following on.

New Zealand managed to resist ending the second Test against South Africa on day three, but will have to battle a probable losing cause in Port Elizabeth as they were 157 for four at stumps and following on.

The visitors were still 247 runs behind the Proteas first innings total of 525, with BJ Watling against showing his worth to remain unbeaten in the second innings after doing so well in the first knock.

The Black Caps, who had started the day on 47 for six, were all out for 121 as only Watling provided resistance. The wicketkeeper made 63 off 87 balls to push the score into triple figures and avoid the humiliation of registering the lowest Test score at the ground (84).

The Proteas continued their demolition soon after the start of play, when Doug Bracewell edged Steyn for AB de Villiers to take an easy catch behind the stumps. Neil Wagner and Jeetan Patel followed soon after, both with the score on 62.

Watling and Trent Boult then got together and put on a stand of 59 in eight overs, with the little keeper smashing the ball around the park and Boult hitting a big six that broke a window over long on.

It was never going to be enough though, just a last stand to add a bit of individual pride, and Morne Morkel ended the slog-fest in the 45th over. Watling played at a wider one and Graeme Smith had no issues with the catch at slip.

The Kiwis then faced four overs before lunch, and it nearly looked like Guptill would fail again. He was given out while trying to avoid a Steyn bouncer, but the replays showed the ball had struck first his shoulder and then the back of his head, so the decision was overturned.

After lunch, McCullum and Guptill battled against the pace attack, and dealt with Peterson's spin well for the most part. McCullum was finally out for a hard-fought 11, trapped LBW by a spinner he dismissed before the series began.

Williamson's wicket fell just before tea, as he missed a straight one and it went on to clip the off stump. He had faced 32 balls for his 11 runs, and Dean Brownlie was at the crease in his stead, still to get off the mark.

The evening saw the Black Caps resume on 64 for two, but they soon lost two further wickets as Rory Kleinveldt struck with consecutive balls. Guptill was bowled for 48, just eight runs added to his tea score, and the next ball saw Daniel Flynn do for his second duck in the game, caught behind.

Watling then again showed his mettle against the attack, which saw Alviro Petersen and Smith have a turn with the ball, and he and Brownlie were both in the 40s when stumps was called.